Notebook: Rest of roster joins Tide as classes begin

TUSCALOOSA _ The University of Alabama football team welcomed the rest of the Crimson Tide to practice Wednesday afternoon as undergraduate classes began at the Capstone.

Although a roster was not released, a notable return was junior safety Robby Green, who will serve a season-long suspension. Green has played in 26 career games with six starts, 39 career tackles and one interception. He wasn't on the 105-man camp roster, giving another player a chance to practice, while having his tonsils removed.

Also of note was a player fitting the description of Harrison Jones and wearing No. 40 working with the tight ends. According to the Alabama media guide released before camp that was the number assigned to the true freshman.

Coach Nick Saban announced at the start of camp that Jones, listed at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, would grayshirt due to roster limits.

Injury report

Freshman cornerback DeQuan Menzie (hamstring) returned to practice, but there's still no sign of freshman safety Kendall Kelly, who's been out due to heat-related issue since his first practice.

In black jerseys and not practicing were freshman all-around player Blake Sims (dislocated toe), freshman cornerback DeMarcus Milliner (ankle), and sophomore defensive end Undra Billingsley (ankle). Milliner's sprain appears to be the most serious injury.

Secondary shuffle

While injuries have forced coaches to shuffle things in the secondary, numerous players are getting long looks at a variety of spots.

During an individual drill that reporters were allowed to observe, Dont'a Hightower and Chris Jordan were at the two interior linebacker spots, with Jerrell Harris and Nico Johnson on the second unit and Jalston Fowler and C.J. Mosley shadowing.

At cornerback, Dre Kirkpatrick and B.J. Scott were with the first unit, with Menzie and Rovert Lester on the second unit.

Mark Barron moved up to star, with Will Lowery and Nick Perry at the safety spots. The second unit had Phelon Jones, Jarrick Williams and Robert Lester, who sustained a concussion in last week's scrimmage.

With Billingsley sidelined, redshirt freshman defensive end Darrington Sentimore worked with the second unit behind Marcell Dareus.

Awards watch list

Friday will be another busy day for watch lists, with more than one Alabama player possibly named contenders for the Rotary Lombardi Award (lineman of the year), but the Crimson Tide is expected to be overlooked for the Lou Groza Award (kicker).